Tag: employer

Work At It With All Your Heart

Neal Pollard

That command was given to the Christian slave in the first-century world. It is a convicting call for an approach to life that would have been as unusual then as it is today.

Paul writes, “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality” (Colossians 3:22-25, NKJ).

Paul returns to the overriding thought he preceded this section with, saying, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (17). Every group he addresses–wives (18), husbands (19), children (20), parents (21), slaves (22-25), and masters (4:1)–is given a command that would have gone against inclination, preference, emotion, and desire. Yet, since this is divinely-given instruction, we must submit to God’s authority and do it.

Do you notice the how of the command for the slave to obey his master? Do it thoroughly–“in all things.” Do it sincerely. Do it fearfully (obeying them, but fearing God). Do it heartily. Do it purposefully–“as to the Lord and not to men.” Do it prospectively, in view of the heavenly reward. Do it fearfully, acting with an eye toward God’s eternal justice.

In the middle of this instruction, Paul instructs them to do it “heartily.” The NIV has “all your heart.” The word is psuche, found over 100 times in the New Testament. Depending on context and translation, it may be rendered “life,” “mind,” “heart,” or, most usually, “soul.” In the greatest command (Matthew 22:37), it is “soul.” It is the inner self. What is Paul saying to do?

From the essence of your being, work with all your might and with everything you have. Beyond just your emotions or feelings, empty yourself out in accomplishing your tasks. Engage your strength and strain, wringing yourself out to get the work done.

So often, it has been observed that the parallel to the slave addressed in Colossians 3:23 is the employee of today’s world. Contrast what Paul calls for with the lazy, lackadaisical, lethargic way so many approach their work. Whether the one who feels entitled to a paycheck but not engaged in purpose or prefers to get by with as little effort as possible, such a work ethic won’t work with the ultimate Supervisor. He tells us HE is the One we ultimately work for. How does that realization change our approach to the daily grind?

What’s on your to do list today? Whatever it is, “Work at it with all of your heart!”

Books by the Pollards

A Tiny Spark Snail Mail Club (Kathy Pollard)

Endurance

Carl Pollard

“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment” (James 5:12).

Keeping this verse in the context of what James has been talking about in chapter 5, 

If you agree to work for the rich, and then don’t, you have stopped being righteous. The rich have been dishonest (see the beginning of chapter 5). They are not letting their “yes be yes.” It would be tempting as a poor person who was being taken advantage of to make the same decision. 

Often when we are tempted to compromise our character we do it for someone else. These Christians who were being mistreated most likely had families, a spouse and children who needed to eat. Can’t we compromise to help our family? If our integrity goes out the window in suffering, what does that say about our faith in God? Do we truly believe that He will reward the upright? But it’s easy to see how tempting it would be to stoop to their employer’s level. 

If they are dishonest, why should we be any different? 

This is how the world thinks. Someone cuts you off in traffic you need to get even. 

Your spouse insults you, you give one right back. It is human nature to try and repay evil for evil. 

Verse 12 says, “do not swear either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath.” 

Matthew 5:34-36, Jesus in His sermon on the mount says, “But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.” 

To understand this section we need to recognize that the Jews had “Lesser” and “Greater” oaths. It was their way of making a commitment while leaving a way out if you needed one. If you swore by Jerusalem you were basically saying yes, but there’s a 40 percent chance I mean “no.” Jesus tells the Jews that no matter what kind of oath you make, God will hold you accountable. There is no greater or lesser oath. There is only yes or no. Applying this to James five, and these christians are being told to just wait on God. 

He will make it right in the end. The dishonest employers will be dealt with; just hold on and stay faithful. 

It won’t end well for these rich men. So don’t do something you will later regret because the Judge is near. God didn’t save Lazarus from his poverty on earth. The reward came after his life was over. We need to realize that James is not saying to not make oaths in general. In fact, Jesus and Paul both made oaths (Matt. 26:63; 1 Thes. 5:27; 2 Cor. 1:23). The point is not to make an oath that you knowingly might break. That’s like making plans to go out to eat with your spouse, knowing that you’ll make up an excuse to get out of it later. 

In suffering, we can be tempted to lose our integrity in order to try and save ourselves. 

When we face trials, we must keep our integrity. That is when it is needed most. 

“Let your yes be yes and your no, no so that you will not fall under judgement.” Remain righteous, have wisdom enough to stay the course until the very end.